Exodus 14:14

"The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.” NASB

The Lord was speaking to me in service this morning and I want to share this with you. Most of what I am going to type is what I absorbed from my wonderful Pastor. I felt the Lord speaking to me through his words for you.

This verse is special because it is found in the Bible during the deliverance of God's people from Egypt. Take a moment and read Exodus 14 if you have the time. You will see that this verse is Moses' response to God's people when they became upset and afraid for their lives. 

God's people we in between "The Devil and the Blue Sea." The devil being the Egyptians and the "blue sea" being the Red Sea. They were stuck and scared. For a moment they decided to blame Moses and question God's protection and plan for them. 

To me, this sounds a lot like the transition phase of stage one in labor... When a women feels most like giving up in labor and when she may look at the "man who did this to her" and pass blame. (LOL) 

Then Moses did something crazy looking. When God told him to wave his staff over the water he did it. Even though it may have been a weird abnormal thing to do in a situation like this he did it anyway because God told him to. He released the responsibility of God's people to the Lord and did exactly what God wants us all to do in tough stressful times. Do not feel silly for getting on your knees in prayer or worship during this hardship of labor. Just because the rest of the world doesn't do it does not mean it is not the right thing do or that YOU won't benefit from it!! 

"Your will not mine, Lord."

We can use this verse in childbirth, pregnancy and labor, to remind ourselves that God will work. We don't need to complain to him or to others around us about our trial or feel despair over our situation. Sure we might feel stressed out and a physically distraught! But instead of freaking out about it we can open up prayerful communication with the Lord about our situation and trust that His instruction and protection will come. That he will fight for us and CAN save us... 

This idea of not complaining can be found elsewhere in the Bible as well! We are instructed to "Do all things without grumbling or disputing" in Philippians 2:14 NASB

If we can be like Moses instead of the Israelites during labor we can give God the opportunity to fight FOR us as he has promised. 

Isaiah 26:3

"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" NLT

Peace is a wonderful thing. You can be in labor and be having a really hard time but still be at peace. You could also be relaxed and calm but still not be at peace.

Let's look at the difference. 

Peace in it's true form is coming from the Lord. Peace does not come from birth circumstances or from having the right birth team around you, although those two things can aid in your working towards peace. To feel peace and to know peace in a time of struggle you must be able to 100% put your faith in Christ that He will see you through. Accepting what you are going through and knowing that it is ok. Keeping your thoughts fixed on the Lord will help keep your mind away from distracting thoughts of fear. Fear is the number one enemy of birth. When you let fear in, peace goes out the window and in comes tension and more pain. 

On the flip side of this, you could be relaxed and calm but still not have peace. Why? Because there are ways to achieve calmness and steadiness without the help of the Lord. But know that they are more temporary than any amount of peace you can receive from God. 

It takes great strength during birth to decide that you would rather feel peace than fear of the unknown. And I know you can do this. When you are in labor, keep Christ as your first fixation. That way you have peace and also you have the ability to ask the Lord to guide your decision making.  If you are allowing the Lord into your decision making then you are casting out fear and any other plot from the enemy. 

Luke 10:19

"I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to over come all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you." NIV

This scripture is so powerful! What is it in childbirth that worries you? Think about that fear and anxiety for a second and allow Christ to come in and sooth you! You need not be afraid of your birth plan not being respected, of the dangers you or your baby may face in childbirth, or of anything that distracts you from all the peaceful confidence in yourself that God has waiting for you! These thoughts in your mind are placed by the enemy to cause you discomfort. The truth that God has for you is that He created you, for THIS childbirth! Embrace that my friend and know that you have the Devine authority to rebuke the enemy from your birth space! Calling Jesus into your birth space and rebuking the enemy allows God to be in control and gives you the freedom to labor in faithful peace. 

2 Chronicles 15:7

"As for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded." NLT


Oh! Praise God for this scripture! We all know that labor is going to be work! It is going to be a strength test and it is going to be painful! This is normal and healthy! Sometimes we become so focused on getting through our labors that we forget that there is a reward at the end of this tunnel. You are having a baby! :) Congratulations!!! Your beautiful baby, who will smell so sweet, smile at you so adoringly, need you so desperately, and love you with every wonderful cell in his/her little body is one of the most amazing gifts our creator can bestow upon us! The Lord loves and trusts you so much he is blessing you with one of His very own masterpieces to care for! Do not take this lightly! As with all trials the Lord guides us through for our own growth, your labor and delivery will be a mountain to climb! Be strong minded and courageous with your faith that the Lord will see you through this event and your reward will be well worth it!

Psalms 18:32

"God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect." NLT

We can use this scripture in childbirth to remember to trust God. His will is perfect. Do not let your birth's outcome and the fear you may be feeling be the things you focus on during your labor. Instead keep your heart focused on the strength the Lord has instilled inside of you to get you through! He created your body and He created childbirth. He created YOU for THIS! There is no way to predict how your labor or birth will go. But you do know that whatever the circumstances are... whatever the outcome, it is the will of the Lord. Let the faith that you and your baby are in God's hands overflow your mind during labor.